Every day is a Hike

February 23, 2015

Mi amores!!

                Changes are today and as of right now I have no idea.

I am sure that I will know by the end of this email.  Anyway, to not

think about that or that I am officially done with my training I will

share some responses.  I just want to first say how hilarious my

family is!  You guys never fail to make me smile and your testimonies

strengthen my own.  Please keep it up!  I read every word even if I

don´t respond to everything. Primero, Sofie! You looked so gorgeous

and I am so glad that you had a good time at the dance.  Your stories

made me laugh out loud.  Mom you asked about mud and the rain.  It

rains basically every day usually in the mornings or at night.  I am

really glad we live in Tamburco on top of a hill because all the rain

runs down to Abancay.  But yes there is a ton of mud! And yes everyday

is a hike! But we walk way faster than the natives here and they are

always impressed when they accompany us. Sofie  I laughed when you

said Mi amor!  People call us that all the time! Hahah!  Also sofie,

thank you for your story about your temple class. First off I think

that it is way cool you have a temple prep class!! If you can keep

that goal in mind everyday you will reach it!! So awesome!! And second

I am really proud of you for following the spirit and speaking up.

The temple is something very dear to me and every day I am grateful

for the things I have learned inside of its walls. It will be a great

power to those who make it there. Also always dare to be Mormon!  Even

when you are surrounded by them, It is no excuse.  And dear Grace!

You asked if the mission was the hardest thing I have ever done and

what it compares to. Well I can say that yes it is very hard and I

don´t have a lot to compare it to.  But I studied a talk this morning

from last General conference. I can´t remember what talk but he said

that when we build our foundation on Christ we will be able to adjust

to difficulties or adversity that comes are way.  I am not saying

that my mission is an affliction or a trial, but I feel very grateful

for a testimony that can get me through the little challenges that

come.

            Well I have three Ungoogleable facts about Peru.

1.      Dogs here eat whole bones. Shadow is literally the garbage

disposal in this family and he will literally eat everything.  He

chews on the bones for a second and then swallows. According to

Sebast, every dog does this.

2.      Sometimes they have a neighborhood party where they plant a

tree in the middle of the road, cement road, hang plastic colorful

things on it, dance around it all night, then chop it down around 4 in

the morning. This may be googleable.

3.      The police here are a little different then the police in the

states. Our neighbors had a huge party the other night.  They had

music so loud playing all night long.  But however you do not call the

cops to stop it.  They don´t even think of that.

Well that’s basically all…I will think of better ones.  Just know that

I really do love and adore the people here!  They are hilarious and

have such amazing testimonies!  The cultural is a little different but

I love it too!

This week the district leader and his companion taught me how to speak

in an Argentinean accent.  I guess I´m better at it than a regular

Spanish accent because they said I sounded legit.    Spanish is

becoming a lot easier and a lot more natural.  I love this language!!

It’s so much more fun to speak Spanish. Their stories are the best

here because of the language.  I don´t know how to explain it but

things are just a whole lot funnier.

 So I still don´t know about changes which is killing me!! But

Carolina had her interview on Sunday and passed with flying colors!!

Elder Segura said she is ready to be a missionary!!  Fun Fact.  She is

just two months older than the twins!  Crazy, cause she seems older!!

But we are so excited for her!!  It has been amazing to watch the

change in her.  Granted she didn´t have too much to change but I know

that when you apply the Doctrine of Christ and read and pray every

day.  Your life will change!  I feel so lucky to have taught her and

been with her through every up and down.  It is exhausting at times

but so rewarding!! I don´t know if I will be at her baptism, but

that’s not important!  I will always remember her!

Sorry not a whole lot to write about. Transfers are still on my mind.

Love you all tons!!  Remember to continue to apply the doctrine of

Christ each day!!

  Con mucho amor,

                             Hermana Russell

 

Sophie's little blue truck is in Peru!  

Week 11

Hola Famila!!

It has been a wonderful wonderful week!!  Week eleven in my training means that I am in charge of everything!! I was super nervous but I learned that I can actually speak Spanish and understand (a little) over a telephone! YIPEE!

                For some responses.  Dad, I actually know a ton of people who speak quechua!  There is actually a class at the church that is taught in Quechua!   I have learned how to say My name is, and eye.  Lots of kids can understand it and I am finding that lots of teenagers can speak it too.  Its really cool!! Hermana Holland knows a little more because where she was born they speak it a lot!!   Also for everyone´s information, every day is a hike.  Literally we are always walking through fields, up really steep hills, or right by bulls and cows.  It’s definitely an adventure and I always end up thinking  “How did I end up here?”  Not on a mission, but like when I´m climbing up a mud hill in the pouring rain… ☺ maybe I wasn´t so good at leading us this week.   OH and mom don´t worry about pushups or exercises!  We are getting them in.  We usually run around a block or two in the morning and that includes half up hill… Yes my calves are in good shape but I get my push ups in too.

For the ungoogleable facts about Peru this week

1.       They all have a whiney voice that they like to use.  Especially the elderly ladies.  Its actually quite funny and Hermana Holland and I always use it to be funny!

2.       The weather does not affect the shoe choice here,  When its pouring rain and super super super muddy they are still rockin the crocks….  And sometimes I think “Why not?”  They are way easier to clean!!!  They also where flip flops in the pouring rain!

3.       The power goes out here like all the time and its no big deal!  Can´t use your electric stove…That´s okay just start a fire in your house!   I am not joking I have experienced this all time!

This week for valentines day we went out to eat with Rene´s family!!! It was so good but so strange!! All I could think was wow am I really in Peru!! And am I really speaking Spanish!!  We just love Rene´s family and we love when her husband is in town too!! They are like our parents and always give us counsel on what to eat and if it’s raining Herman a Rene tells us not to work…l but we don´t listen to that advice!!   They really are the best.

Something funny and a little scary that happened this week.  Hermana Holland and I found ourselves in a lesson that went a little longer than planned and we were in a dark area at night and there happened to be party music playing which means a little drinking and it was raining.  We were trying to walk really fast to the area where there was more light.  Anyways I couldn´t see really well and was falling behind trying to avoid the puddles!  Anyways I hear people running behind me and screaming and shouting and it sounded like a bunch of men… I was so scared I really thought they were running for us and I was planning on what I could hit them with.  It was probably the scariest moment so far…  Anyways it gets closer and closer and Hermana Holland and I walk a little faster, but then Hermana Holland turns around and sees three of Elders,  our district leader, his companion, and the zone leader…They saw us ahead and ran at us to scare us!  Wow it worked and they got a kick out of it… They are really lucky they didn´t get a REAL kick out of it.  Elders think they are so hilarious!!

 So After a couple weeks of little success we finally saw the fruits of our labors.   Three of our investigators came to church, and 6 of the menos activos we have been working with.  We were so happy and surprised!!  It rained a lot Sunday and we thought that would be used as an excuse for some of our investigators.  But we were excited to see them and experienced a little stress getting them all to the correct classes.  It truly was a blessing from the Lord after a couple rough Sundays.

      We are so excited for one of our investigators Carolina!  She is fourteen years old and we have been teaching her for almost three months.   I have seen a great change in her and I believe she has a very strong testimony.  She has come to church 6 times and is already part of the young womens.  We need to get her a personal progress book pronto!  Anyways the only thing we lacked was permission from her parents.  They live in Cusco and only visit so often.  Carolina is taken care of by her grandmother.  This week they came to visit and we finally got to talk to them yesterday.  We brought Hermana Rene with us, who was crucial in this lesson.  We were able to answer her mother’s questions and I could feel the spirit there.  It was amazing.   Hermana Rene shared her conversion story and we shared our testimonies.    We saw a miracle when her mom called her dad in and together they gave Carolina permission.  They hugged her and congratulated her!   I know that God softened their hearts and that our prayers were answered.  It was a wonderful moment.   She is set to be baptized February 28.  We are so excited!! Carolina is a wonderful girl and I know that she will be a strong faithful member!.  I just hope I´ll be around for her baptism but with changes in a week, I have no idea.

    This week I studied a lot about the Book of Mormon.  It is truly the keystone of our religion.  I am 100 percent positive that if all the members read it and studied it, there would be a change here in Tamburco.  Usually all the menos activos we visit are not reading the Book of Mormon.  I know that the key to enduring to the end is having a continuous study of that book.  It is the keystone of our religion.  It is our witness of Jesus Christ, witness of the Doctrine of Christ, and our witness of the Restoration of the Gospel.   I am so grateful for the opportunity to read it and I am truly beginning to understand the importance.   I love it here and we had such a great week full of mini miracles!! I am so grateful for this opportunity and thank you all for the wonderful support!!  I have the best family and friends ever!!

                Con mucho amor,

                                               Hermana Russell

The Rains Come Down and the Bugs Come In

Hola Familia!!

            This week was a tough one, but we had tons of blessings too.  Missionary work doesn´t just include working with investigators, but there is a lot of things we do for the Rama (Branch).  This sometimes, can be a tad frustrating….But I am grateful for the lessons that I learned this week.

            For responses! Every week at least one of you mentions that they are surprised I am in Peru sometimes….I have the same feeling almost every week. What’s even more surprising is that I am speaking a language.  Yes I am Peru….CRASY!  Sophie I loved your date stories and want you to know that Latinos are hilarious!  This week teaching English Class was absolutely hysterical!!     I don´t know why I wrote this in my notebook, but I think my sisters sound really wise and old…. LOVE YOU GUYS!!   If you can Grace and El, try to find Neverland or at least stop growing.   Dad: Sometimes I feel like all I am doing is planting seeds, It can be a little hard, but I know that it is a good seed but it will grow. OH and dad, last time you mentioned a really high town north of Juliaca­…. Well My trainer, Hermana Holland was born, not literally but started her mission, in a town north of Juliaca called Ayadivi.  Its 1400 feet and she was basically freezing the whole time.   Now she is really tough!

Also THANK YOU FOR THE PACKAGE!!  It was awesome! Thanks Mom you are the best!!

            Anyway for the Ungoogeable facts about Peru!

1.      Sometimes for dessert we will just have a cup of whip cream. It’s completely normal here. They usually just eat it plan….Also random fact I just thought of…Sometimes they make jello, but instead  of letting it harden and firm up in the fridge. They just drink it. So I have had plenty of Jello drinks.

2.      Flies fly slower here…. I don´t know why but they do.  I have become really good at killing them. I think me and my friend are ready to go pro.   Also with the rain brings more bugs. I don´t know how they get to the fourth floor where we live, but this past week I have killed bigger bugs than my thumb.  I just think of the commentary about camping by that one comedian and laugh because the bugs really are trying to get in.

Well that’s all folks!!

Last Monday we got together with the YSA in the ward and played various games.  Volleyball, soccer, and some other random games.  Half way through it turned into a water fight like I have never been in before.  They go crazy with the water balloons here. I now know water balloon game that is the best water balloon game ever!! Anyways there was not a inch of me dry and I guess they played gang up on the gringas, because Hermana Holland and I got several buckets of water poured on our heads.  It was thee most fun Pday I have had to date! Whoo!! CARNIVAL!

            English Class this week was way harder than expected.  I don´t ever want to be a teacher! We played a game called Papa se quema, kinda like hot potato, and If you lost you had to read a verse of the Book of Mormon in English…. Well they turned against Hermana Holland and I and always made us lose.  I ended up translating the English verses into Spanish on the demand of the Latinos. It was so hard!  But I did get a standing ovation for translating,  “Lehi lived in a tent¨.  Don´t worry my Spanish is better than that.  ANyhoo we were happy to give the materials back to Hermana Sandberg this morning!

            The elders baptized Moises on Saturday! It was awesome.  I gave a talk on baptism and two of our investigators came.  I have a picture attached!! WE were really so excited for Moises!  He seemed really excited too.  We met his sister at the baptism and now she is really interested!

            This week I studied about patience.   I found one of my favorite Book Of Mormon chapters , Alma 26!   After these missionaries have had a ton of trials, but bear them with patience  they are so full of gratitude for the Lord and Happiness!! It’s the best chapter!  I know that if we bear our trials with patience, the Lord will bless us with tons of success in our lives.  I also read this week about the coming forth of the book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 3.  I love that the Book of Mormon was written to help remind us of our covenants.  I hope we can read it every day and continue to keep our covenants we have made.  I know that If we do this we will endure to the end.!   Well love you guys so much!! Peru is great and I am loving every moment!!! Thanks for the Support!!

                                   Con amor,

                                               Hermana Russell

This is where I live!

This is Moises who was baptized

Choose Happy!

FAMILY!!

                How is the best family in the world doing ?  Thanks for the amazing letters and all the laughs!! I have had a really good week but also really hard.  The work has gone a little slow lately.  Not a lot of our investigators are progressing and that is really hard.   But I am still loving it and find that there is always something to laugh about at the end of the day.  Literally… there is always something.

So responses:  First I would definitely like to hear about Sophie’s dates because that just made me laugh and laugh…. How incredibly awkward!! Love you Soph!! and of course Disneyland for Mom!  Tell me all about it! Also congrats everyone on grades!  I am sure that you guys will have to help me with math when I get back.  I may be learning a language but I am slowly losing everything else.  Oh and Sophie… Love the dress!! I hope you have the best time!  Dad: water drains the same here… yes I know very boring.  And congrats to the Flinders fam!! You guys make the cutest boys!! Don’t worry Abby, you have 5 other sisters to help you out! J

                For the ungooglable facts about Peru, I will have to go with these two.

1.       If you don’t have crocks, you are absolutely not cool.  Everyone wears crocks here.  Because their houses don’t really have the standard of cleanliness that American houses do, you have to wear shoes all the time and crocks are everyone’s go to.

2.       If you don’t have really cool and pretty handwriting you are also very lame.  People practice their handwriting all the time here.  Sebast has to draw little circles and lines on his grid paper for homework… so now we know the mystery behind the reason for so much grid paper.

Yeah that’s all…. I will think of better ones.

My favorite days are the days when we have an excuse to go to English class.  Latinos are the best and are absolutely hilarious!!   Hermana Sandberg teaches English and they are the best classes!! This week we get to teach them because the Sandbergs are going to Lima!! Woo!! I am so excited and I am sure I will have so many stories to tell you guys.

                Also I included my favorite picture on the mission so far.  Somehow whenever we go on visits with Hermana Rene and fam we end up hiking to who knows where.  This time we ran into a really elderly lady… don’t be alarmed… she actually lead us in the right direction.  And Sebast face is classic….  And the other picture is Hermana Holland and I in hole.  We have a lot of adventures.

   We also had a conference this weekend!! It was great.  President Harbertson is the best president ever.  He is an inspired man and I am excited for this year.  I don’t have a lot of time to tell you all the details but it was just great.

                This week we taught the Law of Chasity to a family.  They are not married, but took the lesson really well.  WE took a couple with us to a lesson later and they bore their testimonies.  They had a similar experience, but any way, they have testimonies unlike anything I have ever heard before.  They are so powerful and the spirit was so strong.    Cesar has a little hard of a heart ,  Beatrice really wants to get married, but Cesar thinks it is a waste of time.  Anyways after this lesson Cesar decided to change his plans to travel and come to church.  They came and brought their little daughter Sophia.  I don’t know what is going to happen next, but I can see a lot of potential in this family.  President Harbertson said we need to focus on finding families and especially priesthood holders, that is how the branch will become a stake.  But this family is the best and we love visiting them.  Cesar loves to talk and tells us some great stories!!  Beatrice is so sweet and loves visiting with us.  We are really excited for them and I feel really blessed to teach them.

   Well I hope everyone is enjoying Isaiah in the Book of Mormon.  Haha  My favorite verse this week is in 1 Nephi 21:15-16.  Because it is a great reminder that we are never forgotten.  Jesus Christ will always have marks in His hands and He will never with draw from us.  It is only us that withdraws from him.  Always remember that the best life this world has ever seen was given for us.  I hope we will never forget our Savior.   This week, I had lots of experiences that strengthened my testimony on the Plan of salvation.   I am so grateful for it and I know that it is true.  I read today that the Gospel is the Plan of Happiness.  I know that right now we only need to press forward steadfastly and live what we have been taught and one day we will return to live with our Heavenly father and our families forever.  I love you guys and I am so lucky to have such wonderful support.  Have a great week!

  Con mucho mucho amor,

                                         Hermana Russell

It's Always a Good Day

Hola Familia!!

Thank you so much for all the emails and love!  I have the best family

and friends a missionary could ask for!  Thank you so much!  I am so

lucky to be able to read everyone’s testimonies every week.  So you

guys (aka mom) asked me some questions.

Spanish:  Yes it’s a ton easier than 7 weeks ago, but I still am not

fluent.  I can understand a gringos Spanish perfectly, but some

Latinos are really hard to understand.  When we are talking about the

Gospel it’s a ton easier, but when they are telling stories it’s a

little harder.  I feel like I have improved a lot though.  In lessons

I can usually say what I want to say and I can understand Spanish of

people I am around a lot, like Hermana Rene.  This week I went on

splits with Hermana Chipunavi.  She came to my sector, so that meant

that I had to take the lead in lessons and talking with our

investigators and people we visited.  It also meant that I only spoke

Spanish all day.  I felt like I did pretty good and I loved being with

Hermana Chipunavi.  She is great and helped my Spanish a lot!  Every

day it gets a little easier.

Laundry:  Well this has actually been quite a mess.  Our person that

washed our laundry also washes the clothes of four other elders.  She

lost my sweats and almost my towel.  So we went and talked to Hermana

Rene and now she is doing our

laundry!  She is like super mom I swear!  She hand washes everything

and she does an amazing job! She has literally adopted us into her

family.  This week she accompanied us to a lesson (yeah she has time

for that too).  But she said to our investigator Cesar that she has

four kids, two latinos and two gringas.  And then she said “We are

happy, just us five”  WE love her!  She also tells us to not put too

much mayo on our food and salt.  And when Hermana Holland left to go

on splits in a different sector , she made her bring a jacket.  I

don’t know how she does everything!

Health:   I am sleeping fine, like always.  I can fall asleep in five

minutes and stay asleep the whole night.  I am very grateful for that

blessing!  I haven’t been sick once and we haven’t had to stay inside.

I don’t know how my health has stayed so good.  We get rained on a

lot, lots of cold showers, but I think its half on the food and half

on just taking care of myself.  Maybe it’s the vitamins! I don’t know,

but I am grateful for it.  The mosquitos are probably the worst thing.

Last p day we played soccer and I got bit.  It was so bad my ankle was

swollen and really tender and bruised.   Now it’s fine and back to

normal coloring J.  But I have used a whole tube of Neosporin.  For

the first time in my life, and that’s saying something.  Also my hair

has been falling out more than usual.  I think it’s the climate….

 Food: Well it’s a ton different than home.  Rice every day for lunch,

potatoes and usually a meat too .  Breakfast and dinner are really

small, like really small, but I have gotten used to it.   My favorite

thing is Camote frito, which is fried sweet potato.  It is so good!!

And my favorite meal is Aji de Gallina!  Its literally the best thing

ever!  I love when René makes it!   Desserts are just not sweet here

and they don’t eat for pleasure J.

Boots:  I am so glad you sent them to me!! Thank you thank you!  I

wear them on the days when I don’t want to wear my dirty walking

shoes.  They are great!  Thank you!

This week was really good!! But sometimes it’s really hard.  I would

say that the hardest thing is just feeling overwhelmed with how much

work there is to do.  There are a lot of family problems here.  I

won’t get into them, but its very taxing to listen to them all.  Its

emotionally draining because there is a point where you just don’t

know what to say.  There are a lot of menos activos here as well.  Its

overwhelming.  But the best thing was that 5 menos activos of ours

came to church this week!  I loved  it so much!  I think that they

usually need a friend or need to know that someone is wanting to see

them.  And that is an example of how rewarding missionary work is.

Yes you feel very sad about everyones trials, but then they come to

church its all better and worth it.

This next month is something they call Carnival.  I don’t know

everything about it but I do know that it includes throwing water

balloons at people.  Yes, it’s not February yet and Hermana Holland and

I have already gotten hit.  Ungooglable fact about Peru:  Their aim is

really bad!  WE just got our ankles it but still it was pretty funny!

Every Friday night in our ward we have Noche Misional!  Its like a

party with everyone every week!  It’s the best and this time we played

a game called the Bomba!! Its way funny and easy to play!  I found

myself on the team with a bunch of the kids in the ward,  our team

name was No Se, which is I don’t know in Spanish…. Haha I accidently

chose the name, but it worked out!  Haha The ward is seriously the

best and we had way to much fun playing this game!  I wish I could

explain it to you guys but it will probably take too much time!  Just

know that we laughed a lot and now I have like 7 Latino friends J

Agreeing with dads words, yes you are thrown into a random city in

Peru.  Yes sometimes I feel like I have no idea what I am doing here.

 Buts its always a good day.

  This Book of Mormon challenge is the best.  I have found one of my

favorite chapters.  Chapter 17 of Nephi.  First off, I love when Laman

and Lemuel are complaining about life and saying how they could have

enjoyed all their material things in Jersualam.  They obviously never

had a testimony in their dad the Prophet, or they would know that if

they had stayed they would be about to be destroyed.  And I love the

example of Nephi in this chapter,  He bears his testimony to his

brothers and does so with so much power.  It’s just amazing!  I love

that he had the priesthood power with him in this chapter.    My

favorite thing that he mentions is when he talks about the people that

only needed to look at the serpent to be healed, but because of the

simpleness of the way they didn’t look and were lost.  I thought about

the simple things that the gospel asks us to do, pray, read, attend

church, and how often we don’t do them.  They are simple so why don’t

we do them?  I think a lot of problems could be solved by doing these

things.  The natural man is swift to do iniquity and slow to remember

God.  I know that if we do the small and simple things now that we

will truly grow to be converted in the gospel and be prepared

(especially the youngins) to make eternal covenants in the temple J

Well I love you all to pieces!! Thanks for the support!  Have a great week!

love, Hermana Russell

Don't be confused .....that's just the way things are here

Hola Familia!

   Well, can I just say I have the best family ever!  Seriously the
letters that you write me make me laugh out loud!  And I just love
reading parts of your testimony each week!  It is the best part of P
day!  Thank you for the support and the love, it makes it a lot easier
to be out here so far from you all.   It has been another great week
in Abancay!  I am loving it here and believe I am living in paradise!
We had a busy but really fun week!

   Some responses from last letter:  First off I want to know if
Sophie got my letter?  I want to track the time so I can make them
more prompt for birthday and things.  So let me know if you ever get.
Also congrats on almost completing your personal progress! That is so
great!  A girl in my ward just got hers on Sunday and her medallion
was gold.  She asked me what color mine was… haha awkward.  I wish I
had been a better example and gotten mine.  It’s probably why I have
to suffer through this mission…haha Chiste!... But really I had and
have a lot to learn.   Hannah you are slacking but I heard about your
job through dad and wanted to say congrats!! Hope you aren’t slacking
off this week!  And one more thing…. Thank you dad for your thoughts
on faith and hope.  There is a lack of hope here and it is very sad.
It’s a really cool experience to teach someone about the plan of
salvation and see the hope in their eyes. Even if it’s just for a
split second.  I am grateful for the hope that the Gospel has given
me.  When you know that there is a point to all your trials and
challenges and life, it makes each day brighter and full of laughter.

                Time for some Ungoogleable facts about Peru!

1.       People play volleyball a lot here!! Like soccer, it’s a
favorite pastime.  Every city has a town plaza, and usually they have
a volleyball net.  The best part is that they are seriously amazing at
volleyball!  Everyone plays and everyone is way good!  I am sure that
the only thing that is keeping them from the Olympic podium is their
lack of height.

2.       Peru does not own window screens.  I haven’t seen one since I
left the CCM.

3.       In Peru you do not need refrigerators.  everything is made so
that it doesn’t need to be kept in a fridge.   Yougurt, milk, butter,
you name it!  Hermana Rene has a fridge but the only thing in it is
mayo.  Remember this fact because I have a story about it.

4.       IN Peru they only use one cup when they give you a drink, so
if someone opens a bottle of soda or coke, you pass around one cup and
share it with everyone.  Of course I haven’t done this because they
will usually give me my own cup, but I have seen it done, and let’s
just say it makes the soda last a lot longer.  This may be why they do
it.

5.        Mormon standard time in Utah has nothing on Mormon standard
time in Peru.  Just this week we waited one hour for a meeting to
start. And Hermana Sandberg said last week a meeting started 1 hour
and 45 minutes late.  That’s just their culture.

   This week has been really hard but tons of fun!  Last P day we went
to Hermana Rene’s Chacra.  It’s on the hills of Abancay and it’s
beautiful.  We walked there with her family and took their family dog
Shadow.   (Update on him: He got bit by a tiny tiny tiny dog and spent
most of the week whining at the bottom of the stairs… I guess he knows
how the poor duck felt).  Anyways Dogs are very very very territorial
here.  IF you are a dog you do not go to another neighborhood.
Especially if you are not a street dog.  So we walk through a
neighborhood called Victor Acosta, which is basically like the suburbs
of Abancay.   Dogs just come out of the nowhere, barking and growling
at shadow!!  I think I counted at least 12 dogs.  It was probably one
of the scariest/funniest things I have ever seen.  Robert  (Rene’s
husband)  is just tranquilo through the whole thing.  He just keeps
walking and walking!   So then we go to the Chacra.  It was like
stepping back in pioneer time.  I downloaded pictures of the house
there to drop box.  But anyhoo, we walked back but this time we were
prepared.  We all had sticks and rocks in our hands, and walked
through Victor Acosta!  All the dogs came out and even people were
looking through their doors and windows at us.  Haha two gringas with
this family!  I’m sure it was a sight to see!  We laughed the whole
time and the dogs left us alone!   It was something out of a movie for
sure!

    One day this week we stopped by Yaneths and taught English to her
and her brothers.  It was super fun.  It’s good to teach the kids how
to speak English in their youth because they don’t have such a heavy
accent.  Her little brother Jose knew a surprisingly amount of nouns,
and he asked how to say “you are” and then he proceeded to say “you
are a seat, you are a chicken, you are a cow”  Pretty hilarious!  It
was fun to talk to them and hear them speak English.  Their accents
are thick and I am sure that’s what I sound like!

                A couple nights ago we were sitting down for dinner
with Rene’s family and we couldn’t find the butter.  We looked
everywhere for it.  And we couldn’t find it so we sit down and a
couple minutes later.  Dianet whispers in my ear, “I know where the
butter is…. It’s on the roof!”   Before I could ask why she ran
upstairs to get it!  Hermana Holland, Rene and I Just laughed and
laughed.  I guess Her and Sebast had a picnic up there and forgot
about it.  And I guess that is why the butter doesn’t need to be
refrigerated here.

    Anyways  its been a really good week and it finished on a really
great note.   On Sunday we had a lesson with Carolina.  She didn’t
come to church so we were really worried.  WE took a member with us
named Lisbenia.  She is 19 and is preparing to go a mission!  Her and
I are best friends!  Anyways we go to Carolina and something’s
different.  She doesn’t run up to us and she doesn’t invite us inside.
So we sit outside on this beautiful hill in a meadow overlooking
Abancay, and the sun is setting.  (you need to picture this).   We
talk to her and she tells us that her parents are absolutely against
her getting baptized, and Carolina tells us that she doesn’t think she
will be ready for her baptism.  My heart just sank and I realized for
the first time the real reason why missionary work is hard.  I didn’t
know what to say and either did Hermana Holland, But Lisbenia, bless
her heart, She just starts sharing her conversion story.   She was the
first member to join the church and since then four of her siblings
have join.  Her parents haven’t yet.  She talked to Carolina about how
she needs to be example now and how God sent her these missionaries
and that she might not get another opportunity to join this Church.
It was the most powerful testimony ever and it set the tone for the
rest of the lesson.  We just shared our testimonies with her and
taught her the doctrine of Christ.   Carolina felt the spirit and at
the end of the lesson she prayed and it was the most powerful prayer I
have ever heard.  There we were kneeling in this beautiful meadow, and
it was thundering and lightening all around us.  Carolina asked for
the strength to overcome this trial and asked Heavenly Father that her
parents hearts would soften.  It was amazing. Wow.  The spirit was so
strong and I don’t know whats going to happen in two weeks.  But I do
know now that Carolina has a testimony and that she knows this church
is true.  IT was truly powerful.  I believe there is a power that
comes from bearing testimony.  I am grateful for Lisbenia and her
willingness to share her testimony.

     Well that is all!  Love you all so much!  I have been so blessed
in my life and I hope everyone is reading their book of Mormons! J
Till next time!

                    Hermana Russell

Hermana Russell and Hermana Holland dressed in traditional Peruvian dance attire

Peru: 12 weeks into the mission

Hola Familia!

  It’s been a great week here in Abancay. It is surprisingly really
hard to get back into missionary work after not doing it while we
finished our room.  But a new change just started and we are super
excited for it! Hermana Holland is the best and we have a great
friendship! Have I mentioned that she is a dancer? Yeah She’s pretty
great!

   I have a lot of responses, and they are a little scattered so bare
with me.  First, I loved the Smith and Edward stories!  That store is
the Bomb!! I would like to take Shelby there, so Sophie you should
take Shelby!  Shelby I know that you would love it.

   Dad: No yellow underwear was given out or received, but an Elder
did dress up in all yellow on New Year’s Day because it represents
prosperity.  That day he found 200 soles in the street… so I guess it
worked.

   Grace: They celebrate all their holidays here with lots of
fireworks and huge all-day parties.  It’s kind of dangerous for us
Gringas.  News year eve my companion tried to wake me up at midnight.
I guess there was really cool fireworks all over the city, but I was
sound asleep.

   Shelby: I got your package!! Thank you so much! It made me laugh
and I was inspired by your note! You are the best

  I also received Christmas Cards from Mike and Melise and Spencer and
Morgan Ann!  Thank you guys! I loved the pictures and felt lots of
love.  I also got a Christmas card from the Stake Presidency, so Dad
will you let them know I say Gracias!

  This week was really hard! We had a lot of appointments fall through
and sometimes felt like we spent the day just walking from one hill to
another, but we also had a lot of fun as always.  Last P day we made
Oreo truffles for fun!  They turned out really good besides one minor
detail.  We bought the wrong dipping chocolate… It was so gross, but
Hermana Rene saved the day and decided we would roll them in powder
sugar.  They looked a lot better that way, and they were so good! Her
kids loved them, but it was an expensive treat so we will see if we
make them again!

   President/Elder Sandberg’s Birthday was this week.  Hermana Rene is
the Relief Society President so she made him a cake and we just
happened to be home when they were going to surprise him. The
Sandberg’s were visiting Renes Brother who lives next door, but their
houses are connected, so Hermana Rene and we are carrying this huge
cake made out of jello.  Very wobbly!  Anyways, we are standing
outside this door and Hermana Rene just starts laughing, and I of
course couldn’t not laugh, but it was the hush laughing you know…
hahaha anyways, I don’t know what was funny but Hermana Rene just
cracked me up! She is a very serious person, but when she laughs,
which she does a lot with us, We just laugh and laugh!! J We have to
watch the clock at dinner or we would never get to bed!  Also their
dog Shadow, the one that followed us, he bit a duck and now he is
being sent to the Chacra! This is like the farm!  He thinks the ducks
are stuffed animals!

   My favorite thing we did this week was an activity with the Mujeres
Jovenes, Young women!! It felt like home! But we taught them how to
make popcorn balls!! Crazy huh?  It took me till I was in Peru to make
these, but it brought back a lot of memories of orange popcorn balls
and my Grandma Russell.  They turned out really well, and it was a
tender mercy to reflect a little on Grandma Russell.  It made me
excited for the work, because I know she is a great missionary now!
She really loved service and I hope I can channel that love! We also
taught them Ballet!! Hermana Holland loves ballet, and the girls were
so eager to learn! It was super fun to dance again! The young women
are really great here, and Yanth came and our investigator Carolina!
Pictures are included!

  Alright now time for Ungoogleable facts about Peru! Or UFP:

1.      It is custom, and this may be googleable, but Everyone says Hi
to everyone and also good bye! It’s custom to kiss on the cheek when
you meet someone.  This morning Sebastian came down for breakfast and
didn’t say hi to us, so Rene made him go back upstairs and come back
down and greet everyone. Sebastian left and went all the way upstairs
and then came down and said BUENOS DIAS HERMANAS! It was hilarious but
I think it’s a really polite and cool part of the cultural.  At church
you literally have to greet everyone! I like that too!

2.      Did I mention along with the shower curtain there is no toilet
seat.  Honestly after a week of not having one, I can honestly say you
don’t need one and also less to clean right??

3.      Everyone here sweeps waters.  You do not wipe it up, you sweep

it out of your house and you spread it around.  It’s much faster!

4.      And fourth, for some reason there are giant holes in the
ground, right in the middle of the sidewalk.  You always have to look
down! A girl really messed up her knee falling into one.  I don’t know
why they don’t feel them in. They literally have a unlimited supply
of cement here.

Well that’s all folks! I will for sure have some more for next time! I
love Abancay! We are literally in a tropical area! We were walking
through some fields the other day trying to find a house and we walked
past a avocado tree!  Um.. Its heaven here! The best!

  I hope everyone is reading their books of Mormon!  I have really
loved it and have found the greatest gems just in the first 20 pages!
Hermana Holland and I are going to make a Nephi quote wall because he
says the best one liners!

  I also found a scripture that I absolutely loved this week. In
Mosiah 4: 9-10, King Benjamin is just the coolest and I love this
scripture because it really demonstrates how faith is an action word.
And after we believe all these things we need to DO THEM! That is key,
faith without works is really really dead. J So this week I have been
working on showing my faith and going beyond just believing but doing.
I think that’s one of my favorite scriptures.

   Well It’s true I have the best family! Thanks for your hilarious
stories and making me laugh!  I am loving it out here so don’t worry
about me! And I promise with all the play this week we have been
working really hard.  Missionary work is the best!

      Con amor,

                         Hermana Russell